Side loading hearse



Feb. 16, 1932'.

F. THOMAS SIDE LOADING HEARSE s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 11

(r of INVENTOR. d/LM dim WW 1M ATTORNEY.

Feb. 16, 1932. F,T|-I|QMAS 1,845,570

, SIDE'LOADING HEARSE I Filed Oct. 11, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 2 a h/M BY 91am )1 W- M ATTORNEY.

Feb. 16, 1932. v I THOMAS 1,845,570 7 SIDE LOADING HEARSE INVENTORJ BY 9mm 71% 'A'TTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK THOMAS, F STERLING, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BIG ROCK RANCH COMPANY, 01 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 01' CALIFORNIA SIDE LOADING HEAR-SE Application filed October 11, 1926. Serial No. 140,781, 1

My inventiomhas reference to a side loading hearse, and embodies certain improvements in a similar device for which an aplicationfor Letters Patent of the United gtates was filed by Wilbur Myers and myself on the seventh day of August, 1926, Serial No. 127,851. In said former device theplac-- ing of the casket in the hearse and removal thereof was limited to one side of the vehicle, but it has been discovered that it is sometimes desirable to load the casket and remove the same from the side of the vehicle opposite to the one containing the opening, or to load the casket at one side of the hearse and remove it from the other side. In the present device the arrangement 1s such as to make it possible to accomplish any of these objects. v

In order that the desiredresults may be obtained the vehicle is provided with an opening of liberal dimensions at both sides thereof, and a table with a casket truck supported thereon, andcapable of being guided so as to deliver its lead, or receive the same, at either of the openings. The general character and arrangement of the hearse is largely similar to the one shown in said former application.

In the drawings;----

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the floor of a hearse equipped with the invention, with the top and doors shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a lower plan View of the table.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail of one of the pins 41, with a portion of the floor 12 in longitudinal section.

Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the rods 45-46.

Fig. 6 is a detail of the rack-bar 3 1, in inverted position. I

The reference number 1 indicates the body of a hearse of usual construction, in both sides of which is an opening, near the front end thereof. The opening on the right side of the vehicle is closed by a pair of doors 2 and 3, which are adapted to close against a post 4, supported by a separate frame 5, so that the same can be swung outwardly and forwardly independently of the door 3. The

opening at the opposite side of the hearse is similarly provided with doors 6 and 7, swinging in opposite directions, and closing against a post 8, also supported so as to be swung outwardly and forwardly. The arrangement of both sets of doors and posts is similar to thatset forth in said former application, and by opening either'set thereof a sufficient clearance is provided for the passage of a casket of ordina construction at that side of the vehicle. Til the front art of the car are independent seats 10 an 11, having a hinged connection with the floor 12, so that either one thereof may be tipped forwardly out of the way.

Supported on the floor 12 is a table 13, on which is movable a casket truck 14 the movement thereof being facilitated by ball rollers 15 in the upper face of said table. On one side of the truck 14 are fixed clamps 16, and

opposite thereto are clamps 17, capable of adjustment to and from the clamps 16, and operable by a shaft in a sleeve 18 on the edge of the truck, said shaft being provided with a crank 19 at each of its ends, so as to be operable from either side of the vehicle. The movement of the truck 14cm the table 13 is guided by means of pins 20 and 21 near the ends thereof, projecting downwardly and slidable in pairs of short :slots 22 and 23 and long slots 24 and 25. The first-named slots are joined near the center of the table by a cross-slot .26, and the slots 24 and 25 are united at the rear end of the table, as at a. The movement of the pins 20 and 21 is always in slots in opposite sides of the table. If the pin 20 is moving in the slot 22'the pin 21 is passing along the slot 25, and if the pin 20 ii operating in the slot 23 the pin 21 is in the s 0t 24.

' hen the truck 14 is at its farthest inner position the pin 20 is held by a pair of levers 27 and 28, havin a pivotal connection with the lower face 0 the table 13 as at b and c. Said levers are connected by rods 29 with bellcrank levers 30 fulcrumed on the bottom of the table, as at d and e. The other ends of the levers 30 are connected with arms 31-projecting outwardly beyond the edges of the table 13, and provided with knobs for convenient operation. Coiled springs 32 connect the rods 29 with posts fixed in the table 13, such springs tending to hold the lovers 27 and 2S normallv in position for engagement with the pin 20, as shown in Fig. 2. By actuating either of said rods the'pin is released, pcrInittin" movement thereof toward the side of the ta 'le on which such rod is located.

Depending from the table 13 is a pair of guides 33 in which is slidable a rack-bar 34, on the upper face of which is a- 35, in the path of the downwar ly projecting end of the pin 20. On the lower face of the bar 34 is a rack 36, the teeth of which are engaged by a toothed pinion 37 on the end of a shaft 38, rotatably supported in brackets 39 secured to the table 13. Said shaft is provided with a pair of cranks 40, with which are connected pins 41, the upper ends of which are positioned in openings in the table 13. Upon said shaft being given a partial rotation the pins are moved upwardly into positions to provide a support for the pro- Jecting end of a casket carried by the truck 14. Upon the truck being moved to the rear end of the table the in 20 is turned into the cross-slot 26, said pin encountering the lug near that end of the slot, and causing a movement of the bar 34, causing the partial rotation of the shaft 38 above mentioned. In

its movement to the center of the table 13 the in..20 passes alon the curved edge of the ever 27 or 28, forcing said lever rearwardly, the lever resuming its former position u on the pin passing beyond the end thereof. he

' rack-bar 34 is held normally in a central positiomby means of springs 42, connecting a pinf43 projecting from said bar with posts 44 fixed to the lower face of the table 13.

In case the pin 20 enters the cross-slot 26 at one end and leaves it at the other endit forces the lug 35 ahead of it until it turns into the main slot, whereupon it slips past such lug, and the lug and rack-bar return to their former positions.

\Vhen the truck 14 is in its most rearward position the pin 21 is at the junction of the slots 24 and 25, and in the return movement of the truck it is necessary to prevent said pin from traversing the wrong slot. To accomplish this means is provided for preventing the pin from entering the wrong slot, consisting of a pair of rods 45 ad 46, rockingly supported beneath the table 13, and provided with fins 47 at their rear ends, which fins are normally out of the path of the pin 21, but which can be turned upwardly into a position to block the passage to one or other of the slots 24 and 25. The front ends of the rods are fitted with cams -18, which are in a iosition to be encountered by the lower end o f the pin 20 upon its leaving the slot 26 at one end or the other. For example, if the pin 20 is entering the slot 22 pair of lugs the rod 45 is rocked thereby, moving the fin 4T thereon into a position to prevent the pin 21 from entering the slot 24, and compelling it to follow the slot 25. If the pin 20 is entering the slot 28 the-rod 46 is actuated in a like manner, closing the entrance to the slot 25. The rods 45 and 46 are provided with coiled springs 49, exerting a force on said rods tending to return them to their usual position after having been rocked in the manner named.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows ;assuming the truck 14 to be in the position shown in Fig. 1, transversely of the forward end of the table 13, the doors are opened and post removed on that side of the vehicle on which it is desired to load the casket. The seat on that side of the hearse is also tipped forward, leaving a clear passage for the introduction of the casket and turning thereof into position lengthwise of the hearse. The casket is then placed upon the truck and secured in position thereon, whereupon the truck and its loadis swung upon the pin 20 as a pivot, the pin 21 following the long slot at the opposite side of the table. The truck is then moved rearwardly until the pin 21 is at the junction of the slots 24 and 25, with the pin 20 in position to enter the slot 26. The truck is then moved sideways, causing the pin to enter said slot, and automatically actuating the pins 41, as before mentioned, If it is desired to remove the casket from the same side of the car the rod 29 on that side is actuated, releasing the pin 20, the truck 14 and casket being'again moved to the side until the pin 20 enters the short slot along which it first n1oved,.this movement being accompanied by the rocking of one of the rods 45 or 46, and compelling the pin 21 to enter the long slot opposite to the slot which the pin 20 is entering. The truck 14 and casket are then again swung into a transverse position, for the convenient removal of the casket.

If it is desired to remove the casket from the opposite side of the vehicle to that through which it entered, the doors on that side are opened, and the rod 29 on that side actuated, releasing the pin 20 for movement in that direction. In whichever direction the pin-20 is moved the shaft 38 is coincidently rotated to move the pins 41 downwardly away from the casket.

lVhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination with an enclosed vehicle having casket receiving openings in both of its sides, and closures therefor, a table in said vehicle, a casket bearing truck rollingly supported on said table provided with guiding members, and means in said table for cooperating with said guiding members, operating to give said truck a quarter-turn in its movement from a loadin position at either of said openings to a point in the opposite end of the vehicle, and also capable of returning said truck to a loading or unloading position at either of said openings, as desired.

2. In combination with an enclosed vehicle having casket receiving openings in both of its sides and closures therefor, a table in said vehicle, a casket tmck rollingly supported on said table and provided with guiding members. means in said table for cooperating with said guiding members operating to give a quarter-turn to said truck in its movement from a loading position at either of said openings to a point in the opposite end of the vehicle, latch devices for holding said truck from movement toward either side of the table when in said last-named position, and means at either of said openings for releasing said latch devices to permit a movement of the truck into a loading position at said opend. In a device of the class described, a table provided with a system of slots oppositely arranged, and a truck movable on said table, and provided with a pair of guiding members for engagement with said slots, the arrangement of said slots being such as to convert the truck from a transverse position at one end of the table to a longitudinal position at the other end thereof, said slots being inter-connected to permit a reversal of the position of the truck when transversely supported on said table, if desired.

4. In a device of the class described, a table provided with two .pairs of slots oppositely ,(lisposed and inter-connected, a truck movable on said table and provided with a pair of pins for operation in said slots, said slots being arranged to change the position of the truck in its movement from one end of the table to the other, and being capable of gui(l ing said truck alternat vely to a transverse position with its loading end at either side of the table, as desired, and means for compelling the movement of said pins in the proper slots for the desired purpose.

5. In a device of the class described, a table provided with two pair of relatively short and long slots, the short slots having a crossover at their inner ends, and the long slots being united at their inner ends, a truck movable on said table and provided with a pair of guide-pins operating in said slots, means for holding one of said pins in locked position in said cross-over, and trip devices for compelling the movement of the other pin into the proper slot upon the initial movement'of said first-named pin toward either end of said cross-over.

6. In a device of the class described, a table provided with two pair of relatively short and long slots, the short slots having a cross-over at their inner ends, and the long slots being united at their inner'ends, a casket truck rollingly supported on said table and provided with guide-pins for operation in said slots, a slide-bar operable by one of said pins upon its entering said cross-over from either end, one or more casket supporting pins vertically movable in said table and means for imparting the movement of said slide-bar to said pins to raise the same upon the truck being fully positioned longitudinally of the table.

7. In a side loading hearse, the combination of: abody of sufficient size to allow a casket to be dis osed therein with the major axis of the cas cet disposed arallel to the major axis of the hearse, sai two doors, one situated at one side of said body and the other at the other side of said body, said doors being so placed that the casket may be removed from said body through either door by a combined turning and advancing-movement; a platform upon which said casket may be supported; a plurality of ball bearing supports supported by said body and upon which said platform is supported in such a manner that said platbody having form may be moved in any direction with very little friction, thus permitting the easket to be removed from thebody through either door; and guiding means by which said platform is forced to swing and turn in such a manner that the casket is moved from its loaded position with its major axis parallel to the major axis of the hearse into a position in which the casket may be readily unloaded through either door by moving said casket along its major axis.

8. In a hearse, the combination of: a body of sufficient size to allow a casket to be disosed therein in such a position that the major axis of the casket is substantially parallel to the ground and to the line of motion of the hearse, said body having a door opening in both sides thereof somewhat wider than the casket but narrower than the length thereof through which the casket may be loaded into or unloaded from the hearse; c0- operating means between the casket and the hearse so" constituted as to automatically swing the axis of the casket toward or away from said position as the casket is moved into and out of the hearse through said door, said means being operative to automatically swing the casket through either of said door openings.

9. In a hearse, the combination of: an enclosed body of sufficient size to contain a. casket in its loaded position with the major axis of the casket extending substantially parallel to the line of motion of said hearse, said body having two door openings therein so situated that they are on either side of and opposite the forward end of said casket when said casket is in the loaded position, each doorway somewhat wider than a standard adult casket but narrower than the length of said casket; doors adapted to close said doorways; and friction redncine and guiding means upon which the casket is supported and which allow the casket to be moved bodily forward in the body and simultaneously swung into a right unloading position from which it may be withdrawn eudwise through the right doorway or into a left unloading position from which it may be withdrawn endwise through the left doorway.

10 In a hearse the combination of: an enclosed body of suiticient size to contain a casket in its loaded position with the major axis of the casket extending substantially parallel to the line of motion of said hearse, said body having two dooropenings therein so situated that they are on either side of and opposite the forward end of said casket when said casket is in the loaded position, each doorwa being somewhat wider than a standard adu tcasket but narrower than the length of said casket: doors adapted to close said doorways; a casket truck upon which said casket is supported; and means controlling the motion of said truck to cause it to turn as it is moved bodily forward in said hearse body so that it projects the end of said casket through either one doorway or the other at the will of the operator. I

11. In a hearse, the combination of: an enclosed body of sufficient size to contain a casket in its loaded position with the major axis of the casket extending substantially parallel to the line of motion of said hearse, said body having two dooropenings therein so situated thatthey are on either side of and opposite the forward end ot-saidlcasket when said casket is in the loaded position,- each doorway being somewhat wider than a standard adult casket but narrower than the length of said casket; doors adapted to close said doorways; a casket truck upon which said casket is supported; and guiding means in said body engaging said truck to turn it as it is moved bodily forward in said hearse body so that it projects the end of said casket through either one doorway or the other at the will of the operator.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRANK THOMAS. 

